Speaking at Jewish Labour Movement's One Day Conference this
morning, will announce that former
Labour MP and respected advocate for improving mental health
provision has returned to working with
the Labour Party, helping to prepare plans for a new
cross-government mental health strategy
Luciana will be working with , Shadow Health Secretary
, and Shadow Mental Health Minister, on Labour’s pledge to
deliver a long-term cross-government strategy for mental health.
The review will consider how each government department can
contribute to achieving three key objectives:
- Preventing mental ill-health
- Delivering Labour’s plan to recruit 8,500 more mental health
professionals, provide mental health support in every school and
put mental health hubs into every community, paid for by
abolishing tax breaks for private equity and private schools
- Achieving the goal set out in Labour’s Health Mission to
reverse the rising trend of lives lost to suicide
Berger will lead the review and will present recommendations
ahead of the next election. The work will aim to ensure that an
incoming Government can ready to hit the ground running on
delivering a cross-government, long-term preventative strategy
for mental health after the election.
Having previously held posts in the Labour Party as Shadow
Minister for Public Health and Mental Health between 2013 and
2016, currently serves as Chair of
the Maternal Mental Health Alliance, an advisory board member of
the Money and Mental Health Policy Institute, and Vice-President
of the British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy.
, Leader of the Labour Party
said:
“I am proud to welcome Luciana back. The Labour Party has changed
beyond recognition since she was forced out, and we will be a
richer party for having her working with us again.
“It will be the mission of my Labour government to make sure
fewer lives are lost to suicide, with timely support available to
all who need it. Luciana is a fierce advocate for mental health
and her work will contribute to achieving that mission in
government.”
said:
“With Keir Starmer’s leadership, Labour has turned a significant
corner. I am delighted to be back working with my party and
helping Labour deliver the change our country really needs.
“Millions of people are experiencing poor mental health, without
the necessary support to recover. The absence of a proper plan to
address the causes of poor mental health requires urgent
attention. Labour’s commitment to deliver a cross-government
long-term strategy to tackle mental ill-health is an important
step towards gripping this issue, and I am really excited to be
leading this work.”
